Lieutenant Governor Robert J. Duffy speaks in front of the state Police Officers’ Memorial at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y., during a remembrance ceremony held on Tuesday, May 6, 2014, honoring police officers who died or were killed in the line of duty in 2013.
J.S. CARRAS - THE RECORD

Lieutenant Gustave Kalin of the Nassau County Police Department plays “Taps” during a remembrance ceremony held at the state Police Officers’ Memorial at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, N.Y., onTuesday, May 6, 2014.
J.S. CARRAS - THE RECORD

ALBANY >> Police officers who sacrificed their lives were remembered in Albany this week during an annual memorial ceremony.

Flags were flown at half mast Tuesday as somber governmental dignitaries and law enforcement officials from across the state gathered at the state’s Police Officers’ Memorial at the Empire State Plaza to honor 20 late police officers who died in 2013.

Five of the 20 died from line of duty injuries, giving the ultimate sacrifice to protect New York’s citizens.

One of these was local State Trooper David Cunniff of Duanesburg. Last December the nine-year state police veteran working with Thruway patrol was killed at age 35 when his police cruiser was struck by a tractor trailer near Amsterdam.

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The majority of the new engravings were results of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. A total of 13 members of the New York City and City of Peekskill police departments who died last year of Ground Zero-related illnesses were remembered during Tuesday’s ceremony.

Additionally, two historical deaths were recognized.

The black granite memorial recognizes 1,360 officers who have lost their lives in service to communities across the state. Dedicated in 1991, it represents, to date, 140 police agencies from New York state and five federal agencies. Officers’ names are placed randomly on the memorial without rank, to signify that every sacrifice is equal. The memorial reads: “It doesn’t matter from which department they came, the feeling of loss is experienced the same.”

“There are times when I wish we could build this monument in every community in the state, so that our children might understand that the things we take for granted, the peace and the security, the freedom and the justice they enjoy at home sometimes requires so much more than written laws,” said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver during the ceremony.

Tuesday’s gathering incorporated prayer, speech, and music to honor the respected officers. A bagpipe version of “Amazing Grace” and the traditional trumpet tune “Taps,” brought tears to the eyes of many in the crowd.

Many family members of the deceased officers attended the event in honor of their loved ones. “We know that we cannot heal the wounds,” Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said to them. “We only hope that by publicly honoring the sacrifice and sharing in the grief collectively, we can offer a small measure of comfort, and can ensure that these heroes and their sacrifice are not forgotten.”

Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy reminded those in attendance that the additions to the wall are not just names. “We cannot have a safe state without the sacrifice of our police officers,” he said.

“We are all in debt to them for their sacrifice,” Schneiderman said. “They are defenders of justice, and there is no higher honor than that.”